Cherry Picking Time

It's not quite cherry-picking time here in mid-Wisconsin, yet many Christians practise this with their Bible verses throughout the year. Today's verse is an example of that - a verse that I myself have been guilty of cherry-picking.

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” - Matthew 18:20

Have you ever said that before praying with someone, before a prayer meeting, or at a Bible study? As Inigo Montoya once said, "I do not think that means what you think it means." And it doesn't. That verse is actually the last verse in a passage of scripture dealing with church discipline - the disciplining of our brothers and sisters in Christ, caught in sin. Let's read the whole thing - in context.

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” - Matthew 18:15-20

These words from Jesus are an extension of the commands that God gave Moses in Deuteronomy. Another verse about what to do if someone sins.

"One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." - Deuteronomy 19:15

What Jesus was sayingin Matthew is that whenever two or more Christians gather in His name His spirit is there with them. His Word is there with us in our hearts. The Holy Spirit will be present, and we can THEN rebuke a brother or sister who is unrepentant in their sin.

It's basically like this: Would Jesus rebuke a believer and call them to repentance if He indeed found them unrepentant in their sin? Yes, I believe He would do that. And so should we.

We as believers should not be sinning. Period. And we should pray that God's Holy Spirit would reveal any sin in us, to us. God forgives us our sins, if we repent of them. If we don't repent, we will be kicked out of God's church and the doors will be shut on us. That's just the way it is in God's Kingdom.

Cherry-picking verses for our own comfort and convenience is not a good practise. 

That Guy's Dead

In one of the most misused passages of scripture, ever, Jesus told His disciples how to judge someone (inside the church), "You will know them by their fruit." - Matthew 7:16

The picture featured here is from the movie It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. In this scene the man lying down dies and literally kicks a bucket down the hill (That's what everyone is looking at).

When the bucket finally comes to rest, Jonathan Winters (the guy at the upper left) utters these more than obvious words.

"That guy's dead."

Let's get back to Jesus now, and about our judging others. The Apostle Paul tells us we are NOT to judge those outside of the church. They're dead. Spiritually speaking. 

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?" - 1 Corinthians 5:12

But we ARE to judge those INSIDE the church.

If we see someone in the church who is not bearing the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) we have no course but to question their actions.

Jesus tells us in back in Matthew 7 the means by which we are to confront that person. Paul then tells us in 1 Corinthians 5 that if they refuse to repent of their actions that person is to be kicked out of the church. Their own actions have condemned them.

As Jonathan Winters said, "That guy's dead."

But Jesus also reminds us that BEFORE we judge someone like that, we are to examine ourselves and make sure that WE are not just as guilty.

Professing faith is good, so long as it accompanied by deeds (by fruit). Remember, it is not good deeds that saves us, it is by God's grace that we are saved.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

Should we not act like we have been saved, if indeed we have been? As Christians we are literally followers of Christ. Shouldn't we act like Him then?

Jesus confronted sinners, in love. At the same time Jesus was also quite harsh in His judgement of the religious leaders of His day. They professed a belief in God, but they were actually dead inside.

It's one thing to condemn others saying, "That guy's dead." But it is another thing entirely to come alongside that person and guide them back onto the path that they have strayed from.

"Love one another, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU." - John 13:34

What Do We Say?

Facebook is a window through which we are allowed to see into the lives of other people. At least we see as much of their lives as THEY want us to see. Sometimes . . . often times . . . we see MORE than we want to see.

Should we do anything when we see somebody saying something demeaning on Facebook - kipping someone apart publicly for example. That's not on the list of "Best ways to win friends and influence people."

And what do we do when we see someone who professes a faith in Christ acting contrary to God's beliefs. What should be do then? Should we say nothing? Should do anything at all?

Well, it never hurts to pray. Praying is the first and best thing we can do for our friends and relatives in need.

Let's say someone in our family doesn't know Jesus. How do we talk to them about Him? How do we approach the topic? Or what if someone is caught in sin and refuses to repent? What do we do? Anything?

After we're done praying, before we do anything at all, we should take a good long look at ourselves. Where are WE sinning? What are WE doing that might warrant someone else talking to US?

I saw a Facebook post recently by a young friend of mine who asked an interesting question - very similar to what I am asking today.

"Is it better to lose a friend for being honest, or to hide something and keep your friend?"

What would you do? What would JESUS do? Well . . . the woman at The Well found out.

^"16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”

¹⁷ “I have no husband,” she replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. ¹⁸ The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” - John 4:16-18

Jesus just caught her in sin - having sex outside of marriage.

I think we have a certain biblical responsibility if see another Christian sinning. See Matthew 7:3-5

"first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."

But as for the non-believer, all we can do is pray. We are not to judge them. We are to leave that up to Jesus. However, we CAN confront them in an evangelical effort.

I guess what I am trying to say is PRAY first in all situations. Speak lovingly to a brother or sister if, after careful examination, if feel they are sinning. Love the unbeliever by asking them questions, just as Jesus did with The Woman At The Well. 

Remember, they will know we are Christians . . . by our LOVE. Let us love one another as Christ loved us when WE first came to believe.

By Our Love - For King and Country

Walking The Path - Morpheus, The Matrix

The Last Thing

We have a tradition in our family that when part of our family leaves home, those remaining stand and wave goodbye. It's a wonderful scene. Warm and touching. If only they could hear us saying. "I thought they'd never leave."

I'm just kidding, of course . . . for the most part anyway. Ha ha! But sometimes, the people we love the most . . . are the ones that can annoy us the most. Why is that?

Partially, I think it's because we spend so much time with them. We get so used to our immediate family that we can often take them for granted. We know how far we can push them. Why do we snap at our spouses or arch our backs so quickly when we are attacked over the smallest of things? Perhaps it's because we ourselves are . . . selfish?

I have a tendency to get very defensive when my beliefs are attacked or questioned. I tend to revert back to my worldly nature instead of dropping to my knees and taking a positive step to actually improve the situation.

Consider the early Christians in the following story. They had a couple of visitors for an entire week, and at the end of it . . . what did they do? The answer is in verse 5.

"Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. ² And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. ³ When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo. ⁴ And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. ⁵ When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed. ⁶ When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home." - Acts 15:1-6

There is something quite different between the first Christians and those of us today that bear His name. For me at least, I think it's my lack of devotion to Christ that is the problem. I pale in comparison to the first Christians in their love for one another. I don't spend as much time following as I do wallowing. I need to make God my "first thing" instead my last.

The answer I think is in praying that God would change US, not them. Sure, some people could probably use some change in their lives too, but Jesus told us that we must first remove the plank in our own eye before we can judge someone about the speck in THEIR eye (Matthew 7:1-3).

What is the last thing these early Christians did with their brothers, the Apostles? They prayed. Not just one-on-one prayer but entire families . . . "wives and children" were also there. They all prayed.  When was the last time your entire family prayed about something? Other than giving thanks around the dinner table. In my case, never. Well?

This world is filled with broken people. You and I are two of them. There are fights and battles everyday. Some big and some small. Some last a day and some last a lifetime. Jesus loves us through them all, unconditionally.

The Book of Ephesians tells us to "be like Christ." Why am I still stuck here where I am then? First we must repent. Right after that we must submit. A good place to begin THAT work is on our knees. I need to step up my game in that department.

We all get wronged, we all get hurt. So, what are we going to do about it? Let us pray. Let us love. Let us be broken, together. Let us rise above it all. And let us become more like Christ to those around us. In that way we can bring glory to God. And isn't that what we're here for?

Broken Together - Casting Crowns
Rise Above It - Switchfoot

People Watching

When my wife and I were celebrating our anniversary a few years ago we went to Mackinac Island. There is a particular bed and breakfast we stay at each time we visit - The Bay View B&B. It has a large front porch where my wife and I like to sit, read a book and just watch the world go by.

Do you like to "people watch?" I do. It's interesting seeing all the faces God has made, their different characteristics and expressions. Some are happy, some are sad, some are in a hurry to get some place while others are simply out for a stroll. Faces can tell us a lot about who people want us to think they are.

Here's a picture of the B&B my wife and I like to stay at. See that big porch facing the street? Perfect for people watching.

Most people watchers have a favorite location to watch people. Do you? How about the mall? Work? Church? Or just even down a crowded street.

My wife and I sometime theorize what these people do in life. Even though we have no idea who they are or what they really do, we make up things. I guess that's basically judging them by appearances but isn't that what we humans tend to do anyway?

If someone watched ME walking down the street, I wonder what would they think about me? What tells someone WHO we are? What speaks to them without words? Is it the WAY we walk? A confident strut? A limp? Are we jogging? (Not me) Is it something in the clothes we wear? A tee shirt perhaps? Maybe some baggy pants riding low to show off our boxer shorts? (Again, not me) Or maybe it's a low-cut tight-fitting top that laves little to the imagination. There is one thing however that does not depend on clothing or style to tell others who we are. It is your face - the very image of God - and how you use it to greet others.

Many people avoid eye contact when you meet them on the street. This tells me they are not interested in any interaction at all. At least not at that moment. Some faces are happy, some are sad. Some just glance sideways at you while others offer a warm smile and a "Good morning!" Others hide behind sunglasses of have ears buds in to remove themselves from the possibility of interaction.

As we walk down the street today or through the air-conditioned food court at the mall, try this:

If someone make eye contact with you, ask them a question. Say, "Excuse me. I really like your smile. Where did you get that?" or, to the sagging pants guy, "Hi, I really like your underwear. Are those boxers or jammies?" Yes . . . I can be sarcastic at times.

The point is, people are always judging others by the way we look. They judge us my our facial expressions, our clothes, our demeanor and our actions. What are we telling them? What are we telling them about Jesus?

I have lots of Christian tee shirts. I like to wear them because, when others see them, they think about Jesus. It may only be for a moment but people think about Him.

But we should be more than just a bunch of tee shirts. Jesus tells us, He commands us, to . . . ^"16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16

Are we letting our light shine? Jesus told us to. And if we are not letting our light shine, we are ignoring a command from God! THAT won't end well for us.

So, let's let our light shine. The world can use all the light it can get.

Go Light Your World - Chris Rice

The Commands of Jesus: Judge Not

There are a lot of people these days who feel we should not be judging one another and, for the most part, they are right. Television shows we watch are filled with people judging one another and the television has become the world's classroom. We learn most of what we know about judging from television. That's a problem.

What does the Bible tell us about judging others? And, more specifically, what does Jesus say about it? More on that in a moment but first this little side story.

Coffee Cup Verses. That's what they call them. They are wonderful little snippets of words to encourage us as we start our day.  Small portions of text that are pulled, screaming, from the Bible and taken as "gospel" while the surrounding words, often more convicting, are left behind in favor of feel-good Christianity. Matthew 7 is a perfect example of this.

The picture at the right is how many people read Matthew 7. We just remember the words we want to hear. We don't remember what came before or after. Wey forget about the context, cherry-picking only the key words . . . the ones that make them feel the best. When we do that we hear Jesus telling us that we are not to be judging others. Here's what Jesus actually said.

7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." - Matthew 7:1-5

The last verse is particularly interesting, especially the part that where Jesus tells us we ARE to judge our brothers and sisters . . . BUT . . . only after we have first judged ourselves.

Let's get one thing straight. As believers in Christ, Jesus is OUR judge. But Jesus says we are also to judge our brothers and sisters. And Paul tells us we are only to judge other believers, not non-believers.

"12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.” - 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

So, what do we do? Do we judge others or not? I think the key to this issue can be found in another verse.

"7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” - John 8:7

Before we cast stones at others, before we judge them, we must first examine ourselves. Are WE without sin? Is there something in us that Jesus might see as sinful? Hey, we are ALL sinners. Let us reflect on that fact for a moment.

The key in all this is the word "first." Before we say anything convicting or condemning about someone else, we should consider our own guilt, our own sinfulness. Would the stones then from from OUR hands?

When a brother or sister sins, we should lovingly come along side them and guide them back to the truth. But we should not pick up stones to do so. We should go to them, carrying our OWN sin as a testimony that we ALL must repent. Let us judge one another, in love, and let's do so together.

Judge Not - Todd Friel (Wretched TV)

Missing Pieces

My wife and I drove down to the tiny twin towns of Adams-Friendship over the weekend. We were visiting our daughter and her husband. Kind of a long-distance double date. After touring the school where our daughter teaches we went to the local flea market to see what deals we could find.

As we were strolling around the grounds I happened to look down and saw something laying in the gravel. I thought about what I had seen for a moment as I walked and then I stopped, turned around, and took the picture you see here.

What do you think of when you see that puzzle piece laying there on the ground? Several things come to MY mind. My first thought was, "Somewhere there is a puzzle with only 999 pieces in it." That's rather obvious though. What else do you think of? I suppose it depends on the person doing the thinking. Here's the story I came up with. See what you think.

There is a young man in my life - a kids leftover from high school youth group. He's a good kid. I call him a "kid" but he's really a young man. I met with him yesterday and we talked for an hour or so. I've known this guy for several years now and I care for him a great deal.

My young friend has made some not-so-wise choices in his life - just like so many of us have. Only difference is . . . he got caught. He has been in trouble with the law on more than one occasion. Drugs, alcohol, broken home, jail time, you name it. HE is the lone puzzle piece. The rest of the "puzzle," his family, is scattered. There are puzzle pieces everywhere.

I think there is nothing my young friend would like more than to be part of an entire puzzle again. Part of a whole. Someplace where he could fit in and maybe start over. All he needs is for someone to show him a little grace and mercy. Hmm. Reminds me of a story.

"2 Early in the morning he (Jesus) came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” - John 8:1-11

As I look back on my encounter with the puzzle piece, I really didn't do the right thing. I took a picture of it. I wrote a story about it. But what should I have done? What would Jesus have done?

What I REALLY should have done was show mercy and grace to the lonely little puzzle piece, just like Jesus showed the woman in the story we just read. I should have picked up the piece and brought it home with me. And in REAL life, I should have done the same thing with my young friend.

It's too late to go rescue that puzzle piece from the flea market parking lot but it's not too late to show grace and mercy to my young friend. Won't you please join me in praying for him? Pleae pray for me too as I try to figure out how God wants me to show this young man the grace and mercy that God has shown ME.

Thank you. :)

The following song is written about a girl but it really could been sung about a guy too, as you will hear in the song's last line. Please listen to it, then ask yourself, as I did, "Is there anybody in the shadow of MY steeple who is "going down" today? God placed us here in this place to be Jesus in our own little part of this world. What would Jesus do if He met someone, a lone puzzle piece from shattered puzzle? Would there be grace? Mercy? Yes! So should it be with us.

Does Anybody Hear Her - Casting Crowns

Lawlessness

"The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness," - Matthew 13:41

I watched the news the other night as St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Robert McCulloch made the announcement. No indictment against Officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of Michael Brown. I thought McCulloch did and great job, slowly and methodically spelling out every detail before he made the final announcement. Trying to keep things calm. He did his job well.

Because the grand jury made a no-indictment decision in this case, in their minds anyway, Officer Wilson did his job too. Yes, tragically there was a shooting and an 18-year old man died but officer Wilson did his job according to the grand jury.

And in doing so, the grand jury did THEIR job. They were charged with making a judgement, based on evidence and the eye-witness testimony of others.

The soldiers that were called out, the police officers in the line of fire in their community did there jobs as well. The only ones who failed to perform well were those citizens of Ferguson who decided that looting and burning cars were somehow the next logical step in an evening in which they did not get the decision they wanted.

That, in my opinion, is insane. It is lawlessness at its worst.

If we are left to our own devices and we are allowed to do what we want. Officer Darren Wilson would no doubt be hanging by his neck from then end of a rope. He instead is living his life in fear, and rightly so. He should be afraid. Not because of what he did. He simply performed his job. Because of the action he took August 9th, protecting his community, he will now be looking over his shoulder wherever he goes, fearful that someone will end his life.

The thing that strikes me in this whole issue are two things really. One, the black leaders in our nation seem to be fanning the flames, especially Al Sharpton, instead of trying to extinguish them. Would Martin Luther King be doing the same. I think not. He would be advocating peaceful protests. Our president made a few comments but they weren't enough to get people to listen.

Secondly, those people looting and burning businesses. When did it become okay to destroy a random persons property over the actions of another? It's NOT okay!! This whole Ferguson thing is an embarrassment to our nation. Watch the BBC news sometime and discover what the rest of the world thinks of us!

Many of my brothers and sisters in Christ believe that we are in the End Times - the days leading up to the return of Christ. The opening verse of my post today was spoken by Jesus when his disciples asked Him about one of His parables - the parable of The Weeds. According to what I read, these people who are looting and destroying things in Ferguson are being spurred on by the devil. Jesus will judge them when their time comes. And according to Jesus "the weeds" will be "thrown into the fire."

One thing to remember . . . as sad as this situation is, these things WILL need to happen. They have been prophesied. And events like this will get worse.

So what can we do as Christians? I think we need to stick to our beliefs, we need to stand firm for our God and King. In the end, none of this stuff matters, only the salvation we received through our belief in Christ. We need to repent of OUR sins before judging others, and even at that we are not to judge those outside of the church. That is God's job. So we must pray.

We must pray for our nation, we must pray for the family of Michael Brown and Darren Wilson as well. And we must pray for the protesters. The one thing that is needed most . . . the one thing that could have a calming influence on this and other shortcomings in this nation and world . . . is Jesus.

If Michael Brown knew Jesus he never would have acted like he did. If the people burning buildings and stealing things knew Jesus they never would have done what they did. The whole problem with the world today is that not enough people know Jesus. The status quo is simply not going to cut it. We Christians need to evangelize and we need to do it now. But in a loving way.

We can't "save" anybody. That's not our job. We are to be witnesses and carriers of The Gospel, the GOOD news of Jesus Christ. Let us have no fear in this. Let us ask people questions about their faith, lovingly. And pray. We need to pray. Let us do so . . . always. Let us do . . . our jobs.

"When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."  "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." - 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Eyes

I'm not sure why this is happening to me. What did I do to deserve this torture, this punishment? Why has this image, this vision been placed in my head? That I would be driven insane by its' tauntings? The hauntings? Why, oh why, . . . do I have a Lionel Richie video stuck in my head!?!

Thoughts about today's topic go back several years to a 2009 song by Brandon Heath called Give Me Your Eyes. In that song, Brandon asks God to be able to see things through HIS eyes, not Brandon's own eyes. That was an interesting concept to me, so I began to pray that - that I would be able to see situations as they are being unveiled, to know they are of God and that I am supposed to act in that moment.

An example of that occurred today at church. I was sitting at a table, talking with some teens, when a lady came up behind me and whispered in a prayer request in my ear. Most people, including myself, would probably have said "Sure, I will pray" and then maybe later we'd do that . . . or . . . maybe not. But in that moment, seeing through God's eyes "for just one moment," I asked my friend, "Do you have five minutes? Let's pray right now." And so we stood there in the post-church fellowship area, surrounded by dozens of people, and I prayed over my friend.

I pray for moments like that. To be aware. Not that I hope my friends have trouble, but when they do, that I would see things through God's eyes and to do the things that Jesus would do.

When we don't see things through God's eyes we run the risk of seeing them through OUR own eyes Not the best of lenses. We begin to filter what WE see through the lense of our life's experiences. Again, that's not always a positive thing.

Back in May I wrote a story called Perception. In it I related a short tale of a father and his children and an irate bystander on a bus. The bystander interpreted things through her own eyes and assumed she was seeing an uncaring father and his unruly children, when actually, she was witnessing something else, a grieving father and his inconsolable children coping with the loss of a wife and mother. Did the bystander see that situation through God's eyes or the world's?

I'd like you to watch a video. It features a tender, loving situation as a man prepares a surprise dinner for the love of his life. Yet, when that very special lady comes home, she sees an entirely different picture. She does not see things through all-knowing eyes, but rather, she sees things through her own eyes and she makes an incorrect assumption.

Don't judge too quickly!

Alright. I have delayed the inevitable long enough. Now that you have watched THAT video, here is that Lionel Richie video I promised you. I know you're excited. It features a teacher and a student who he has fallen in love with but is afraid to tell. The student is blind. At the end of the video the student does something rather amazing and then says, "This is how I see you." She was blind but was still able to see. Reminds me of the song Amazing Grace . . . "I once was lost but now I'm found, twas blind but now I see."

Hello by Lionel Richie

How do we see the world? Do we see it through eyes trained and shaped by the world? Or do we see through the perfectly clear lense of God's eyes. Do we pray for things that WE want? Or do we pray for things we know GOD would want?

One last question for you today. If you saw a blind man walking towards a cliff, would you say something to him? If you saw a child playing near a busy highway, would you caution that child or ignore the situation completely? If you saw someone crying in your church, what would you do? Would you ignore someone's pain and pray that someone else might help them? Or would you ACT like Jesus and reach out in compassion during those moments in life when we encounter opportunities to serve our King?

Okay, that was more like four or five questions, but whatever your answers were, one thing is for sure. We will all answer to Jesus for our answers to lifes questions, for what we have done and for the things we have left UN-done.

"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." - James 4:17

Father, may we always do what is right in your eyes. May we always see the situations you place before us and may we always be willing to be used by you to be Jesus in the lives of those we meet along our way to You. Amen.